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EIA TRAINING
RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Reporting in the
EIA process
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
2
Propos al
identification
EIA required
Screening
Scoping
Initial
environmental
examination
No EIA
Impact analys is
Mitigation
and impact
management
*Public involvement
Resubmit
EIA report
Redes ign
Review
Not approved
Decis ion-making
Approved
*Public involvement typically
occurs at these points .
It may also occur at any
other s tage of the EIA Process
Information from this process
contributes to effective EIA
in the future
Implementation
and post-EIA
monitoring
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
3
Different names for the same document
 Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report)
 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
 Environmental Statement (ES)
 Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report)
 Environmental Effects Statement (EES)
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
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Elements of a successful EIA report
 describes the significant impacts of a proposal
 identifies the measures to mitigate significant impacts including practical
actions to be taken by the proponent
 provides the responsible authority with information relevant to the decision
 Is written in a way that the public and decision-makers can understand
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
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EIA reporting in accordance with
the EC EIA Directive

An EIA Report must contain the following
•
a description of the project;
•
an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer, and
an indication of the main reasons for this choice,
•
a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly
affected by the proposed project;
•
a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed
project;
•
measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse
environmental effects.
•
a non-technical summary;
•
an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or
lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required information.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
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Preparing an executive summary
 Target the audience.
 Be brief.
 Be clear and consistent.
 Avoid jargon.
 Summarise key findings.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
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REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
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An executive summary should outline…
 the proposal and its setting
 terms of reference of the EIA
 results of public consultation
 alternatives considered
 major impacts and their significance
 mitigation and management measures
 any other critical matters
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS
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Some shortcomings of EIA reports
(contents)
 objective of proposal described
too narrowly
 description does not cover
complete activity
 sensitive elements of
environment overlooked
 outdated or ineffective prediction
models used
 impacts not compared with
standards or targets (relevant
standards and legislation not
described)
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
 cumulative, indirect and synergistic
impacts not mentioned or incorrectly
described
 alternatives insufficiently described to
enable comparision
 appropriate mitigation measures not
considered
 incorrect conclusions drawn
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Some shortcomings of EIA reports
(form)
 unclear structure
•
too long
•
not focused
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
 poor style and language:
•
too technical (reports, as well
as “non-technical“ summaries)
•
unclear recommendations and
conclusions
•
references missing
REPORTING IN THE EIA PROCESS